Waynesville resident celebrates life after transplant

Life Share of the Carolina’s and a local organ donation recipient are hosting a Transplant Party to celebrate the lives saved through organ donation from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 16, at Main Street Perks in downtown Waynesville.

Waynesville resident Rachel Tucker received her heart transplant 11 years ago on Feb. 13 after being diagnosed with a condition known as viral cardiomyopathy. The event aims to raise awareness for the need of organ donation and encourage people to become donors as well as raise funds for Life Shares through a silent are auction. Battle Victorious, Michael Pilgrim, Kryss Dulla, Cyndy Tippett, and JANSML will provide live music. It is free and open to the public.

The Naturalist's Corner

My family and I made a quick run up to Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway around dusk last Sunday (July 19) to get a peek at some celestial luminaries. Venus and Jupiter joined the waxing crescent moon on the western horizon. They danced and played hide and seek amidst layered clouds whose purple backs touched the night while their bellies bathed in the last yellow and orange rays of the sun falling over the western horizon. It was a beautiful, tranquil setting.